Digital Drum

 Three dancers from Sagkeeng First Nation, fresh from winning TV’s Canada’s Got Talent competition, received a special honour from the province this afternoon.

Premier Greg Selinger officially inducted Dallas and Brandon Courchene and Vince O’Laney – Sagkeeng’s Finest – into Manitoba’s Order of the Buffalo Hunt.

The induction followed a performance by the three dancers and others on the south plaza of the Legislative Building grounds.

The Order of the Buffalo Hunt was founded in 1957 to recognize the outstanding and distinctive contributions of leaders in areas such as politics, business, sports and entertainment. The trio from Sagkeeng are believed to be the youngest members ever to be inducted into the order.

(winnipeg free press)

“The UN food rapporteur says he’s seen very desperate conditions and people who are in extremely dire straits, yet the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs refused to meet with him when he came to Ottawa. How can the minister continue to deny there is a problem?” said NDP Aboriginal affairs critic Jean Crowder.

(APTN National News)

ALEXIS FIRST NATION — A few kilometres from the shimmering blue waters of Lac Ste. Anne, Chief Cameron Alexis speaks about troubles not far from the surface.

The Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations opened consultations on food security at the Alexis Nakota Sioux Community School by talking about the nearby body of water elders called “God’s Lake.”

This interactive project for the NFB was created by Kevin Lee Burton and Alicia Smith. It’s a visual narrative that explores life in God’s Lake Narrows, one of many reservations in Canada.

Kevin’s words are lifted with well balanced images and expressive audio compositions. It allows you to feel the story Kevin is sharing of the place he grew up. Thought provoking and truthful, the piece exudes life as it may be on the thousands of reservations that cascade across Canada. It serves to break the stereotypes perceived by many about “Indians” in Canada. 

Check out some great music outta New Zealand!

With a new album due to be released June 2012, the Juno Award winning producer and Juno Nominated MC/singer/musician/artist Kinnie Starr will be playing the West End Cultural Centre on June 28th, 2012 with Keri Latimer (of Nathan) opening the show.

2012 is the next phase of Kinnie Starr’s exciting journey. With a hotly anticipated new record being prepared for June release and several other recording projects nearing completion, multiple artistic projects in development, an award-laden 2011 following brightly behind her, and all kinds of fresh creative energy, Kinnie Starr is poised to soar to even greater heights.

Canadian Juno Award winning songwriter Keri Latimerʼs career began in the visual arts. While deeply immersed in an intensive graphic design program, she began to play guitar as a distraction. Since 1999, Keri has been fronting the Winnipeg based band Nathan. 

Thursday June 28, 2012
Doors 7:15 pm | Show 8:00 pm
Tickets: $15 Advance | $20 Door
Tickets available at the West End Cultural Centre, Ticketmaster, Music Trader and the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store.

Online ticket sales:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1100488A0B64CE4C?artistid=938942&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=2
WECC event link:
http://www.wecc.ca/site09/performers/Kinnie_Starr.html